Megan Willeman looks to the American flag during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The ceremony, which is normally held outdoors, had to be moved inside because of rain. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Purchase photo reprints »

Hayden Dow adjusts his mortar board after receiving his diploma from Lebanon High School during commencement last night. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Purchase photo reprints »

Jeanette Hicks of Lebanon sneaks a kiss from her daughter Katelyn Rousseau before she returns to her seat with her diploma last night. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Purchase photo reprints »

Lebanon — The Lebanon High School graduation last night was at times very traditional, and at other times, very 2013.

Just a couple minutes into her salutation address, Kang-Chun Cheng was describing how high school can at the same time can feel like the “longest and shortest time” when she abruptly shifted to the topic of social media. Cheng spoke about how the “overwhelming new load of technology that has infiltrated this generation has only aided procrastination.

The indulgence in social networking was short-lived, and Cheng, who is headed to Dartmouth College, soon went on to recite many familiar motifs one might expect to hear at a high school graduation. She encouraged her classmates not to be afraid of hard work or failure as they venture out into unfamiliar territory.

Lebanon High School English teacher George Hanna delivered the commencement address on the importance of community and a reliance on the kindness of strangers.

“The catch with high school is that often it’s a community you have little choice in joining,” Hanna said. “ ... That’s about to change.”

Hanna urged the graduating class to find like-minded people, “And then go find people you have nothing in common with and make connections. Seek unfamiliar opportunities and people who at first you wouldn’t think you’d get to know,” Hanna said. “Seek unlikely community.”

Hanna also addressed social media in his speech, while highlighting the importance of face-to-face connections.

“You’ll see this technology is only a supplement, not a substitute, for community,” Hanna said. “We all need to reach out and take someone’s hand in our own and trust will develop.”

That trust, he said, could alleviate what is typically a natural “fear” or distrust of unfamiliar people.

“You will need people you don’t even know yet, and perhaps even more mind-boggling, people you don’t know yet will need you,” Hanna said.

After the ceremonies had ended, Elizabeth Shipley paused in a grid-locked hallway to reflect. The graduation was moved inside at the 11th hour as bad weather moved in.

Shipley said she was excited to be done, but called the evening “bittersweet.

Shipley said she was in the process of taking her licensed nursing assistant training course and would be attending Plymouth State University to study nursing.

While Shipley plans to stick relatively close to home, other students face difficult transitions ahead. Vincent Guerin, who grew up in Lebanon, said he is a little nervous about going to New York Film Academy in the fall to study acting. He added that he was happy to graduate, but the relief hadn’t quite sunk in for him yet.